Benfica ready to negotiate with Chelsea for Matic, Portuguese press claim interest still there

According to Monday's copy of O Jogo in Portugal, Benfica are prepared to sell Nemanja Matic during this transfer window and Chelsea have been identified as one of the main suitors. Benfica are prepared to open negotiations with more than one club but want to wait until after the crucial game against FC Porto. That match is on January 12th, less than a week away and provides an opportunity for clubs to get their offers ready and decide how much they need or want Matic.

Jose Mourinho was last week interviewed by the same newspaper and took time to praise Matic and his development into a mature player, he sad he thought the Serbian was happy at Benfica and therefore a transfer wasn't probable, but it now looks like the club themselves would be looking to sell.

Benfica continually struggle with financial problems and their exit from the Champions League brought that into focus again this season. O Jogo say that the sale of Matic would ease financial pressures and give Benfica some fiscal breathing space for a while.

The Portuguese club have even started looking for a replacement for Matic, which would suggest they're more than ready to sell their most valuable asset. O Jogo say the Premier league is overwhelmingly the likeliest destination, and Chelsea will be one of a few clubs keeping an eye on the situation.